The car in Hitchcock's Vertigo

Having driven various Jaguars during my lifetime and after researching the question here I can confirm that the model of Jaguar driven by Kim Novak is a Green 1957 Jaguar MK V111. For info the car driven by James Stewart in the film is a White 1956 Desoto Firedome Sportsman. Kind Regards Robin (JDC UK)

Hello Richard,

I've just joined this Forum to possibly assist in your search. You may already have the solution by now but if not, I believe the colour is Metallic Almond Green. This was used in the early 1950s on a number of British cars. It was used on the the later Riley RM models and also on some MGs I believe. If you check out some of the Riley sites and even Youtube you should find a colour match and some further details. It does appear to be a genuine colour albeit late for this model Jaguar from what everyone implies. There is also a plain Almond Green which is clearly different from the Metallic. Hope this helps.

Realise Mk VIII and Mk IX had only two green colours: British Racing Green and Sherwood Green for the export market. Went to Lechter agent over here and ordered a 400ml aerosol of both to see which was the closest to Vertigo green. None of them were. The BRG was virtually dark grey, and the Sherwood Green was a lighter shade of grey with a green tinge showing only if you took the plate out into direct sunlight.

So what was the green used? Lechter say they want the paint code. Not just a name. Jaguar main agent with a paint shop says it was Sherwood Green and the plate I have isn't it. Even though Lechter used their historic database to come up with the 1960 formulation that they prepared for me.#

Code anyone?

Warren:

MKVIII's and early MKIX's had "small" taillights, a la MK VII. Later in MkIX production Jaguar went to much larger taillights on the IX. The only way to tell an early MKIX from a MKVIII is the boot script.

As for brakes, the MKIX was very different, it had four wheel discs as opposed to the four wheel drums of the VII and VIII.

Daniel

2002 X-type
1968 E-type
1958 MkIX (very early car with small taillights and 4 speed O/D, not 2 tone)
1952 XK120

The main difference between the VIII and the IX is the engine size. Brake configuration may also come into play.

Now that we know the year of the film's release, we know that the car is a Mark VIII. I'm intrigued by Daniel's remark about the taillights. I'll have to look into that just for my own education. (Can't find my Big Saloons book just now.)

Anyone care to venture what the Light Blue Station Wagon in the foreground of the original picture on this thread was? My guess is a Chevrolet, but I can't remember the name of the model with that wrap-around window treatment.

Regards,
Warren

John,

Thanks. The car that Scottie (James Stewart) drives seems to be a 56 DeSoto (FireFlight?).

-- Bill

Thank you!

Here it is from a different angle.

-- Bill

From the back we see the small taillights, almost certainly a MKVIII

Daniel

2002 X-type
1968 E-type
1958 MkIX
1952 XK120

Thanks!

I'm an East Coast type myself, so not able to check. My best guess from searching the Web for references is that it's the Brocklebank Apartments, across the street from the Fairmont. Not sure, though.

Bill

Thanks, Warren

According to the IMDB, Vertigo was released on 9 May 1958, and therefore photographed earlier.

I made a few new stills from the movie to express my appreciation to your group. Here is perhaps the most over-the-top, romanticized picture one could get.

Here's also one of two links about shooting locations.

-- Bill

I've been involved in this very discission before. I seem to recall the concensus was that the car was a MkVIII and, judging from the picture, it certainly looks that way. You can't tell a MkVIII from a MkIX from that perspective anyway.

Daniel Thompson

2002 X-type
1968 E-type
1958 MkIX
1952 XK120

The car is either a Mark VIII (3.4 litre engine) from 1956 -1959, or a Mark IX (3.8 litre engine) from 1959 - 1961). The exterior diffefences of the two models were slight, with then powerplant being the primary way of telling the two apart. What year was Vertigo made? If earlier than 1959 the car has to be a Mark VIII; if later, either is possible.

Regards,
Warren

By the way, that's the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. A very posh hotel, even now. Maybe some of the JAG members from out there can help.
John Testrake
President, Jaguar Association of Greater St. Louis

I've alsays been interested in that car too. It looks like a Mark VII to me. Or a Mark VIII. It has a one piece windscreen. When did that come out? It's left hand drive with California plates so I'm guessing it's a US import car. For extra credit to any Detroit iron buffs out there. What make is the car that Jimmy Stewart drives as he follows Ms. Novac around San Francisco?
John Testrake
President, Jaguar Association of Greater St. Louis

Hello Richard, good to hear back from you. I'm basing this on simply comparing the colour with Riley RMs I've seen and some MGs. From what I can gather the colour has slight variations and also erratic usage. I think the following MG forum site will certainly be useful as it lists the colour codes and includes some discussion. I know Almond Green Metallic was used on some Rile RMA and RMB saloons from 1951. http://www.mg-cars.net/mgtd-mgtf1500-bbs/metallic-almond-green-paint-cod.... I really like the colour, its just another reason I enjoy the film. Happy hunting with all your parts. I'm not a Jaguar owner but have had a few English cars (quite common in Australia). By the way I guess you've tried us 'downunder' for hard to get items? Lots of Jaguars down here and many clubs. Best wishes, John.